[...] degenerated from that reason which distinguisheth men from
beasts. Tho it may be fit to use some ceremonies, before a man be admitted to
practice physick, or set up a trade, 'tis his own skill that makes him a doctor
or an artificer, and others do but declare it. An ass will not leave his
stupidity, tho he be covered with scarlet; and he that is by nature a slave,
will be so still, tho a crown be put upon his head: and 'tis hard to imagine a
more violent inversion of the laws of God and nature, than to raise him to the
throne, whom nature intended for the chain; or to make them slaves to slaves,
whom God hath endowed with the virtues required in kings. Nothing can be more
preposterous, than to impute to God the frantick domination, which is often
exercised by wicked, foolish and vile persons, over the wise, valiant, just and
good; or to subject the best to the rage of the worst. If there be any family
therefore in the world, that can by the law of God and nature, distinct from
the ordinance of man, pretend to an hereditary right of dominion over any
people, it must be one that never did, and never can produce any person that is
not free from all the infirmities and vices that render him unable to exercise
the sovereign power; and is endowed with all the virtues required to that end;
or at least a promise from God, verified by experience, that the next in blood
shall ever be able and fit for that work. But since we do not know that any
such hath yet appeared in the world, we have no reason to believe that there
is, or ever was any such; and consequently none upon whom God hath conferred
the rights that cannot be exercised without them.

If there was no shadow of a paternal right in the institution of the
kingdoms of Saul and David, there could be none in those that succeeded.
Rehoboam could have no other, than from Solomon: When he reigned over two
tribes, and Jeroboam over ten, 'tis not possible that both of them could be the
next heir of their last common father Jacob; and 'tis absurd to say, that ought
to be reputed, which is impossible: for our thoughts are ever to be guided by
truth, or such an appearance of it, as doth persuade or convince us.

The same title of father is yet more ridiculously or odiously applied to
the succeeding kings. Baasha had no other title to the crown, than by killing
Nadab the son of Jeroboam, and destroying his family. Zimri purchased the same
honour by the slaughter of Elah when he was drunk; and dealing with the house
of Baasha, as he had done with that of Jeroboam. Zimri burning himself,
transferred the same to Omri, as a reward for bringing him to that extremity.
As Jehu was more fierce than these, he seems to have gained a more excellent
recompence than any since Jeroboam, even a conditional promise of a perpetual
kingdom; but falling from these glorious privileges, purchased by his zeal in
killing two wicked kings, and above one hundred of their brethren, Shallum
inherited them, by destroying Zechariah and all that remained of his race. This
in plain English is no less than to say, that whosoever kills a king, and
invades a crown, tho the act and means of accomplishing it be never so
detestable, does thereby become father of his country, and heir of all the
divine privileges annexed to that glorious inheritance. And tho I cannot tell
whether such a doctrine be more sottish, monstrous or impious, I dare affirm,
that if it were received, no king in the world could think himself safe in his
throne for one day: They are already encompassed with many dangers; but lest
pride, avarice, ambition, lust, rage, and all the vices that usually reign in
the hearts of worldly men, should not be sufficient to invite them perpetually
to disturb mankind, through the desire of gaining the power, riches and
splendor that accompanies a crown, our author proposes to them the most sacred
privileges, as a reward of the most execrable crimes. He that was stirred up
only by the violence of his own nature, thought that a kingdom could never be
bought at too dear a rate;

But if the sacred character of God's anointed or vicegerent, and father
of a country, were added to the other advantages that follow the highest
fortunes; the most modest and just men would be filled with fury, that they
might attain to them. Nay, it may be, even the best would be the most forward
in conspiring against such as reigned: They who could not be tempted with
external pleasures, would be most in love with divine privileges; and since
they should become the sacred ministers of God, if they succeeded, and traitors
or rogues only if they miscarried, their only care would be so to lay their
designs, that they might be surely executed. This is a doctrine worthy of
Filmer's invention, and Heylyn's approbation; which being well weighed, will
shew to all good and just kings how far they are obliged to those, who under
pretence of advancing their authority, fill the minds of men with such notions
as are so desperately pernicious to them.

[1] [Inferred from the running head on the next page of the
first edition.]